Rowhook
near Horsham
Rowhook was a "treacle mine village" in the 17th century and although it had ceased production following the crippling Treacle Tax Act of 1781, which put a prohibitive tax on tins of treacle; the industry was finished. However, during the hard times of the early 20th century, treacle seams found by open cast mining provided enough treacle which was welcomed by most children, especially during years of war 1914 -1918 when sweets were hard to come by. Not only was the local treacle pleasant to taste, when spread out on a slice of bread. but even better on two thick slices to make a sandwich, known to all as a "door stopper"! then there was the chance to lick the spoon or even the knife, with a warning from mother - "Mind you don't cut your tongue".
The children of Rowhook were not neglected. Their parents had heard the rumours of war, from a certain member of the newly elected Liberal Government, but this time it was the Kaiser that was seen as the new Napoleon. By 1914 several men of Rowhook had been recruited into the secret army with the code name "Rowhook Treacle Miners". 'Treacle Mining' in the village now had a new importance - the defence of the 'Dorking Gap'.
[Treacle World] [Treaclemaster]